Miami LB Francisco Mauigoa should be named to 2 more watch lists this week
After being named to the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy and preseason All-ACC earlier this month, expect Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa to be named to two more preseason watch lists this week. Mauigoa is expected to be named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus and Bednarik Awards this week.
The Bednarik Award preseason watch list, which will be released on Monday, is presented annually to the defensive player of the year by Maxwell Football Club. Miami LB Dan Morgan is the only Hurricane to earn the Bednarik Award. Morgan had 138 tackles and two interceptions in 2000.
Bednarik was a two-way player for Pennsylvania from 1945 through 1948 and played for the Philadelphia Eagles as a center and linebacker from 1949-1962. Bednarik was a three-time All-American, finished third in the 1948 Heisman Trophy voting and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
The Butkus Award honors the best LB in college football and will release its watch list on Tuesday. Morgan is also the only Miami player to earn the Butkus Award. Mauigoa is in a position to become one of the greatest LBs in Miami history. Mauigoa led Miami in tackles and tackles for loss and tied for the team lead in sacks in 2023.
The brotherhood of @CanesFootball 🙌
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) July 29, 2024
Francisco Mauigoa has learned from some of the greatest to ever wear the orange and green.
Mauigoa joins host @joshdarrow on this week's episode of the 'Behind The U' podcast.
🔊: https://t.co/RhuOd1G2t4 pic.twitter.com/BJC1ywah0g
Mauigoa had 82 tackles, 18.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 2.0 forced fumbles, four passes defended and a forced fumble in 2023. The 18,0 TFLs for Mauigoa in 2023 were the most by a Miami player since Gregory Rousseau had 19.5 during the 2019 season. Mauigoa should compete to be an All-American in 2024.
The Butkus Award is named in honor of former Illinois and Chicago Bears LB Dick Butkus. Butkus was a consensus All-American in 1963 and a unanimous All-American in 1964. Butkus was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. Like Bednarik, Butkus also played center in college.
Francisco Mauigoa explains how playing QB helped him at LB. Francisco Mauigoa explains how playing QB helped him at LB. dark. Next
Edge rusher Rueben Bain and Mauigoa form the foundation for Miami defensively in 2024. Bain was named the ACC Rookie Defensive Player of the Year and a freshman All-American in 2023. Bain and Mauigoa can both elevate their games and form a dominating tandem for Miami in 2024.